'Mini cyclone' strikes Fernvale township

LATEST: Roofs were blown off and long established trees snapped like twigs as a storm described as a mini cyclone ripped through Fernvale late yesterday afternoon.

Residents said the storm was one of the worst they had ever seen. Strong winds gusting at more than 100kph accompanied the heavy rain and hail.

The clean-up which started immediately after the storm is expected to go on for the rest of the week.

Large trees that were blocking roads had to be cut up by residents armed with chainsaws.

Emergency crews raced to the scene concerned that many powerlines had been brought down during the storm.

An 11 year old girl was trapped in her home when a large tree came down in her front yard and a group of about 30 young children stayed huddled in a Fernvale childcare centre as the storm raged outside.

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UPDATE 7PM TUESDAY: Residents have taken to the streets of Fernvale with chainsaws to clear away debris which has been strewn through the town in the aftermath of a storm this afternoon.

The storm, described as a "mini cyclone", struck the small township shortly after 5pm.

Roofs were torn from buildings and mature trees ripped form the ground.

A local kindergarten was also badly damaged. Children were believed to be in the building when the storm struck.

The State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers and firefighters say they have responded to approximately 50 requests for assistance (RFA) this afternoon in the Fernvale area.

A small number of homes have sustained major damage, while the majority of call outs has been for fallen trees on roofs.

The SES is asking residents to remain vigilant with fallen trees and power lines affecting a number of streets.

QFES will continue to work with local Council, Queensland Police Service (QPS), Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS), Energex and residents into the night to clean up the damage and ensure the community is safe.

For storm and flood emergency assistance contact SES on 132500 and in a life-threatening emergency dial Triple Zero (000).

2:30 PM: A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for damaging wind, heavy rainfall and large hailstones for people in parts of the Scenic Rim and Southern Downs Council areas.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 2:30 pm, storms were detected on weather radar near Killarney.

These storms are moving towards the northeast.

They are forecast to affect Maroon Dam and the area south of Cunninghams Gap by 3pm and Moogerah by 3:30pm.

Damaging winds, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and large hailstones are likely.

A more general severe thunderstorm warning is also current for parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Central West, Maranoa and Warrego, Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Southeast Coast districts.

EARLIER: More storms are expected to hit the southeast corner of the state today.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast an 80 per cent chance of a gusty thunderstorm during the morning and afternoon, possibly severe.

Higgins Storm Chasing has warned more scattered thunderstorms and isolated super cells were expected to develop inland over the Darling Downs and spread toward the coast.